🎥 NJ Human Services Launches Excluded New Jerseyans Fund Website for Individuals Impacted by COVID-19 but Not Eligible for Other Pandemic-Related Help

 

New Website Is Where Eligible Individuals Will Find Program Information Regarding the Fund

October 13, 2021

(TRENTON)Human Services Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman today announced the launch of the Department’s Excluded New Jerseyans Fund (ENJF) website where individuals can learn about the ENJF program and check their eligibility for this financial benefit before the application for the program opens later this month.

The ENJF program will provide a one-time, direct cash benefit to eligible households that suffered an economic hardship due to COVID-19 and were excluded from and ineligible for federal stimulus checks and COVID-19 related unemployment assistance.

This includes undocumented individuals, residents returning from the justice system, and any other individuals otherwise excluded from pandemic-related financial help. Applicants will need to provide certain information and documentation to demonstrate that they meet the program’s eligibility criteria.

Eligible households will receive a benefit of $1,000 per eligible individual and a max of $2,000 per household. Individuals with annual incomes of up to $55,000 with a documented hardship or lost income due to COVID-19 can apply for assistance.  Applications will be processed in the order they are received and until funds are exhausted.

Individuals can check if they are  eligible to apply on the new site: ExcludedNJFund.nj.gov

The ENJF program is run by Department’s Office of New Americans (ONA).

“We know families continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and this program is here to help. If you believe you are eligible, I encourage you to use this time and get ready by going to the website to get the information needed for the application. The website has helpful information you can use to prepare before the application opens,” said Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman.

“The Fund is meant to alleviate the needs of New Jerseyans who were excluded from Federal Stimulus and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance but were still impacted by COVID-19. The better prepared individuals are when the application opens, the quicker they will receive the support they need if they are eligible.,” said Deputy Commissioner Elisa Neira.

“This website will serve as a central point of information for those interested in applying for the Fund including eligibility criteria, required documents, and frequently asked questions. It is important for applicants to know the eligibility requirements and prepare the information and documentation they will need to show before applying,” said ONA Director Johanna Calle.

As part of the application process, individuals applying will have to submit supporting documents demonstrating: exclusion from federal COVID-19 stimulus checks and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA); financial hardship due to COVID-19 caused by loss of income, illness and/or death due to COVID-19, or inability to pay bills due to loss of income; annual household income; identification and New Jersey residency.

While supporting documents such as proof of identity and eligibility will be requested as part of the application process, applicants will not be asked information related to their place of birth, citizenship, or immigration status.

For a list of documents that may be used to prove eligibility, visit here.